Izzy's Dream Comes True

Izzy’s Dream Comes True

Every day, God blesses and guides my actions to keep me on my life’s path. My family loves and supports me, my classmates love and support me, and Jennifer, my best friend, helps me navigate the world while I wait to fulfill my dream, my life’s goal, to marry a handsome, supportive man and have many children. Four years away, maybe as little as three, if God wills it.

The walk through the brown school hallways with dark blue lockers and light blue classroom doors reminds me to stay patient and calm. This school has taught generations of girls how to please their husbands and raise the next generation. My grandmother and mother attended the school, and their lockers still have hearts they drew for their husbands. The marks faded, but I can still see them because I know where to look.

The old lady stopped me. She appears at our school to give great talks about our role in the world. I forgot her name, Mrs. Something, but it doesn’t matter; she has an essential position in our school, and I feel privileged when she talks to me. Her talk about finding the right kind of man to marry sent me on the path to my current dream.

“Excuse me, young lady, I need to talk to you,” she said and stepped closer. Her old lady odor of lavender and rose overwhelmed me. Her bright red lips frowned while she stared at my forehead. I wanted to rush away, but stayed out of politeness and serenity. Father always said that I must listen to my elders.

“Your teacher leads you onto the road to hell!” The lady said.

“I knew it. Mrs. Waters's math lessons are too hard for us,” I nodded and said, “Maybe you can stop the impossible math. I don't need math. No wife needs math.”

“They overruled me on the committee. Health class will lead you to ruin,” the intelligent lady said, which didn’t make much sense. I like health class. I have already learned so much, and Ms. Barrett knows everything about everything.

“Health class, but I like health class,” I say in confusion. I've learned more in the last three classes than the rest of the year combined. Maybe the lady means a different health class.

She stepped closer, her blue hair at my eye level, while her gaze fell on my chin. The lady appears non-threatening in her bright white with yellow and blue flower dress and matching shawl, holding a brown leather purse in front of her, but I involuntarily step back before I force myself to step forward.

‘She is wise. You need to listen when she speaks,’ Daddy's words echo in my mind. Daddy knows more than even Ms. Barrett.

She shakes her finger inches from my nose, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

I nodded. I knew that. Everyone knew that. The lady’s bright cheeks smiled before she turned and clacked down the hall.

I love our kind health teacher, but what if she leads me away from the righteous path? She called Bobby human, while Daddy called him a dog, which confused me. Daddy, a man, knows more than Ms. Barret, so I trust him more. And because animals cannot get a woman pregnant, that means I can practice sex with Bobby. My brain hurts when I try to think about this stuff. I need a husband like Daddy to help me sort everything out. Maybe I need to stop practicing with Bobby and find one. Lisa said that I could legally get married at my age. I don’t want to wait till I finish high school like Mommy wants. But I don't know, my head spins as I walk to class.

As usual, I arrived first and chose my favorite seat at the back and middle.

Sarah entered, chin down, eyes up, in a flush of half smiles. She needs a strong man to tell her what to do. Martha followed close behind, her gaze on Sarah's ass. She needs a man to get her off the lesbian path and back on God's path. Vivian slipped in, chin up, eyes down, hands in front of her body. She needs an intelligent man to guide her and tell her what to do.

I stared at the picture of Jesus. I want my husband to have stylish short hair and no beard, although a mustache might look ok. However, I will take whatever God provides.

Ms. Barrett asked the class to write down a question. I love this new question format.

Should I stay in school or find a husband? School or husband? School has no use other than to pass the time as I wait for a husband. However, do men like stupid women? Vivian can barely spell her name, and men always ask for her help. So, school likely doesn’t matter. But Mom wants me to stay, and Dad has not said anything. I need to ask. Ms. Barrett will know what to do. Although she stayed in school and doesn’t have a husband. I bet she regrets her choice. But how do I ask it? A person can get married and attend school, so I need to know which to prioritize. I like school, though not math, and all my friends go here. I can’t ask, ‘Marriage or School?’ No, that makes no sense. Ms. Barrett will say both.

“Is everyone almost finished?” Ms. Barrett asked the class.

Oh no, I need a question. What had I decided? Right, the importance of marriage. No, I know that answer. I must know whether I should search for a husband now or wait.

“Times up,” Ms. Barrett said to the class. The other girls, most finished, stand to hand in their papers.

I wrote, ‘Should I find a husband?’

I sat patiently for Ms. Barrett’s great advice and information, while the other girls fidgeted and whispered. They need to learn patience. Their husband will have to teach them, which makes more work for the poor man. Men need support and love. They work hard enough; they don’t need to spend their evenings teaching basic manners.